I actually know people who defend hazing as a good thing

[bluestateguy]

They'll say that hazing builds character, makes a boy a man, builds groups solidarity.

And there are sorority girls who defend it too for similar reasons.

Of course, hazing is never equal. It's always the kid who is smaller, nerdier and most socially awkward who gets hazed the worst.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Our society tacitly endorses bullying, supremacy and beating down the little guy.

This is why I abhor many mean sports and the business model of expansion and dominance.

None of it is healthy, it's not even human, IMO.

Recommended.

[seabeyond]

2. I am sure my sociopathic brother with a mean streak would endorse and say the same thing.

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. What I can't fathom is....

... the degree to which people will voluntarily subject themselves to the most painful, degrading and/or dangerous abuse.

Just to belong. Yes... I know about the importance of "belonging". Not to mention the anxiety and pain of NOT belonging.

But, sheeezzzz. I'd wouldn't want to belong to any group, fraternity, sports team if they're going subject me to what amounts to psychological and/or physical torture.

I'd much rather be alone. I really don't get that mindset.

[Javaman]

4. Had an intern here were I work...

Really nice guy. He worked her a few summers ago.

Two months after he returned to school, he had died due to alcohol poisoning.

he was trying to get into a frat.

hazing. fucking hazing.

[HereSince1628]

5. Not sure it builds character but it's often employed by groups as "rite of passage"

whose end result is a changed status...generally membership that is believed to be somehow special or elite.

I think significant parts of Army basic training was aimed at that goal.

Of course bullying isn't required...Walking down an aisle in an auditorium wearing a mortarboard cap to mark academic graduations is part of a rite of passage. Standing in formal wear taking marriage vows is part of rites of passage.

Submission of a recruit to the authority structure of the group is often employed in rites of passage, which can be silly things like wearing beanies and being servants to frat sponsors, to terrible things like being exercised to death (happened to a "fish" at Texas A&M) or terrible things like genital mutilation, scarring, tattooing, forced commission of criminal behavior, etc.